Iran: Germany will face consequences for banning Hezbollah

Iran slams Germany's ban on Hezbollah's activities, says it caved to Israeli and US pressure.

Elad Benari, Canada , 01/05/20 23:16

Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon

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Iran on Friday slammed Germany's ban on the activities of the Hezbollah terrorist organization on its soil, saying it would face consequences for its decision to “give in to Israeli and US pressure.”

In a statement quoted by AFP, Iran's foreign ministry said the ban ignores "realities in West Asia".

The Islamic Republic said the move was based solely on the goals of the "propaganda machine of the Zionists and America's confused regime."

It "strongly" condemned the decision it said showed "complete disrespect to the government and nation of Lebanon, as Hezbollah is a formal and legitimate part of the country's government and parliament".

Iran said Hezbollah had a "key role in fighting Daesh's terrorism in the region," using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State (ISIS) group.

"The German government must face the negative consequences of its decision in the fight against real terrorist groups in the region," it added.

The German Interior Ministry on Thursday morning issued a federal order outlawing Hezbollah in Germany, and also took enforcement measures under the provisions of the order.

The order prohibits any contact with members of the organization and does not differentiate between its various arms - military, political or social. According to the order, any use of the organization's symbols and the organization's assets in Germany, if any, would be banned.